Elmar Horrer was born in Laas in 1959. As a ten-year-old child, he spent the summer in the Laas Valley, tending 140 calves. During these years, he developed a love of solitude and silence, a passion that stayed with him throughout his life.

The interest in and connection with sheep only came later, when he came into contact with these animals thanks to relatives who owned herds. So he slowly built up his own herd, which now includes around 70 animals, and accompanies them across the Alpine chain to the summer pasture in the Ötztal.

Until 2014, the long march took place partly on glaciers, but even today, weather conditions can make the crossing very treacherous. In the high mountains, which reach up to 3,000 metres, the weather can suddenly change and the path that has been walked countless times becomes an insurmountable obstacle, especially when the snow freezes, and Elmar has often had to watch helplessly as accidents happen.

For years he has been the esteemed president of the Laas Sheep Breeders’ Association and although he has taken part in many international film and television shoots, he has remained a modest and calm person.